"I agree with Jeggare as well. As a paladin of Anubis, I will not abide any harm to the remains. If it rises as one of the undead, then you may burn it to ash. Otherwise, don't disturb the remains. I have seen archaeologists make sketches of those laid to rest in sarcophagi, so if you wish to do that, then you may do so. The followers of Anubis are still trying to decide on how to view archaeologists and similar scholars. It's...um...well, we have had mixed results."
Malik comes close to the sarcophagus to take down more details of its appearance. He also takes rubbings of some of the decorations on the sarcophagus.
"Perhaps we should take a peek inside the sarcophagus. Just to be sure it hasnt been tampered with and that the one within has been properly buried."
"Perhaps we should take a peek inside the sarcophagus. Just to be sure it hasnt been tampered with and that the one within has been properly buried."
"Perhaps we should. It would be good to identify who it is if possible anyway."
Jeggare opens the sarcophagus.
As Jeggare lifts the lid of the sarcophagus, he is filled with a sense of dread. Soon almost the entire party shares his feeling.
Malik and Khere are shaken for one round. Jeggare and Morharis are frightened for 3 rounds and start to run out of the room. The map shows how far they get before the three rounds are over.
"When I said don't disturb the dead, then you should listen to me," Khere said through clenched teeth while shaking a bit.
Malik carefully approaches the sarcophagus without touching it, and takes notes of everything he sees. The sarcophagus contains a carefully mummified body of a human and a mummified cat. Neither gives off any sense of evil, though the cat gives off a faint aura of necromancy. Careful examination and use of knowledge and spellcraft shows that the cat mummy is protecting the human body, preventing it from being reanimated or decomposing. The cat mummy is also the source of the fear, although that ability appears to be used up.
You carefully make your way out of the crypt. As you travel through the grounds to get back into the house, Malik explains that he has decided adventuring is not for him, and he is leaving. Hajar tells you that he has received some sort of religious call to go do something else, though you're not sure what. He's being vague about it. Malik does leave his journal of your explorations so far with one of you. As your former companions leave, you are approached by a horned tiefling with light red skin. He appears to be looking for you.
The tiefling raises his hands before the party to show he means no harm.
"Hail adventurers, my name is Kaven. Seems I arrived in Wati too late and missed the lottery. But the temple has seen unusual turnover in the adventurers, so they are sending newcomers out to join existing groups. I would lend my aid to your group if you will have me."
Kaven looks around at the party hopefully.
"Ah, yes! You come at a most convenient time. Very convenient indeed."
"Some might say suspiciously convenient but I am a very trusting Man. Jeggare Crook is my name." he says, extending a hand.
Kaven shakes Jaggare's hand. "Well I appreciate the trust. In truth you are the second group I've visited, and the first would not accept a 'devil' at their backs. Well met!"
"Hm...."
The aasimar paladin stares at the tiefling for a moment.
Khere detects no evil coming from Kaven.
"I believe we can trust him. My apologies, but as you can see, I am an aasimar and a holy warrior of Anubis, so um...well, you get the idea. Just being careful that's all. I do appreciate you coming to join us."
The aasimar reaches out his hand to shake the tiefling's hand.
You, including your new companion, go back into the building. You go up an elaborate staircase, and find yourself on the second floor. The stairwell opens into a large balcony. This balcony wraps around a twenty-foot-square opening in the floor, overlooking the inner courtyard below and connecting the rooms of the second floor. Above, a square skylight in the ceiling provides natural light to the ground floor and ventilation for the entire building. To the southwest, two small staircases ascend from a landing on the grand staircase between floors. Six different sets of doors lead off of this balcony.
Kavin moves to the door nearest the stairs.
"Shall we start here? I'm not sure what we may be looking for yet, but a room by room search seems appropriate."
Kaven examines the door to see if it looks locked, but does not touch anything.
The stout dwarf appraises the newcomer with a chuckle as he slaps Kaven on the back with his palm. "If ye had approached us earlier I wou' have had greater reservations. But as it be, we have already suffered much turnover ourselves and apparently have an openin' for another companion. Come, let us raise a mug ta Cayden and toast our new companion!"
Looking around he frowns, "Or, later then. Let's get back ta work!"
Nodding to Kaven's suggestion he asks, "Are ye good with traps then? We had this Tengu ..." Thinking back he just shakes his head as he trails off.
"I've got you covered sir Dwarf. But it is handy to have a spare in the event I meet an untimely end!"
"All these doors however. Quite ominous."
Morharis checks the door for traps and then opens it.
This spacious room has entrances in the southern and eastern
walls. The aged remains of dressers, a large bed, and a divan
lie in ruins. The husk of large hornet’s nest, gray, papery, and
devoid of life, occupies one corner of the ceiling. The spaces
in the northeast and northwest corners appear to be closets.
Their wooden doors have all but fallen off their hinges, and
heaps of disintegrated fabric mingle on the floor. Between the
closets stands a single lacquered dresser covered in dust.
A nasty looking little flying head lears at you, ready to attack.
Kaven sees the creature and his just reactively attacks it. He casts an acid splash cantrip and looses two arrows at it, one enhanced with the spell.
He'll then take a moment to see if he recalls reading about this floating menace.
(or arcana, planes)
It's a div; you know it's an evil outsider. It's immune to fire and poison, resistant to acid and electricity, and has spell resistance. It also has damage reduction except to cold iron and good.
The dwarf raises one eyebrow as he tracks the floating head. "What be this unholy creature! Ta arms!" Pulling out his warhammer he does his best to strike at the flying creature, swipining wildly into t he air above him.
Khere rushed the div, summoning the holy powers of Anubis to aid him in his attack!
Kaven's arrows move past the div. Braydir's attack strikes the div, but doesn't seem to do any damage. Khere's flail strikes the div, damaging it severely.
Morharis fires his bolt.
The evil head squishes.
You look over the room, and find various interesting antiquities, which you include in your log book. This was clearly the master bedroom. You also find several gems and small statues.
You move on to the other rooms, and find rooms belonging to the adult children of the house. In their rooms you find fewer valuables, but you continue to note down what you find. You see evidence of very recent presence of monsters, but they seem to have left in the last few minutes. Perhaps they left when you defeated their leader???
You note the interesting objects that you find and also copy the murals on the walls.
Khere takes the time to gather the bodies of faithful servants of the family and move them into the unfinished chamber of the family crypt where they can rest in peace.
Kaven takes a look at the statues. Do they appear to be local figures and family members or are they possibly of more interest?
He also tries to discern what he can about the possible identity of the monsters that have apparently just fled.
Khere pleased with the cleansing of the Pentheru estate, says a prayer to Anubis, asking the jackal-headed god to help these poor souls rest in peace.
The paladin appears to be curious as he watches his companions go about making notes about the murals. He begins to wonder if this was how archaeologists work. If so, then it was indeed possible for archaeologists and the followers of Anubis to get along...as long as the scholars respected the dead of course.
The statues are mixed. Some appear to be of religious use, while others appear more personal. There were one or two cheap statues hidden in the boy's room, but they are less art and more... interesting...
"Eww!" Kaven exclaims as he drops one of the "interesting" statues upon realizing what it is. It cracks in two on hitting the floor. He picks it up and replaces the pieces to its hiding place hoping that the death worshipping paladin either did not notice the damage or did not care given its not-so-properness.
"Is there aught else we have left to complete here? It seems the monsters are gone, and if I am not mistaken we have documented everything indicated for the temple. Perhaps it is time to return?"
Braydir is in the other room when he hears the sound of the statue breaking. He rushes in hammer at the ready and relaxes when he just sees it is Kaven. He nods to to the magus, "I think perhaps we have completed exploration here. Did we completely explore tha lower floors? If so it may be time ta return. Khere?"
"I'm up for making sure we explore a bit more just in case," Khere said in reply.
Khere stops and thinks before replying, "Actually now that I think about it, I think we are good to go as I believe we cleared, not to mention cleansed this area of evil and laid all the spirits to rest. I hope."
"I'm no cleric, but I could offer a quick request to the Dawnflower to give us guidance towards any souls that need rest or redemption."
Kaven will also follow Khere and use Detect Magic in places where Khere stops to examine.
"Aye. I'll scan the rooms for signs of a hidden evil we may have overlooked previously. Let's be gone then."
If Khere chooses to, he goes and stands in the central courtyard. His team mates pray for his success to their chosen deities, and Khere begins to pray and concentrate.
Khere finds nothing to suggest any undead remain.
Khere performs his ritual to see if there are any undead or haunts remaining, but finds nothing.
You return to the Temple of Pharasma and report what you found and did. The priests seem surprised at the quality of the notes and pictures you brought. They give you your new site, called the Temple of the Erudite Eye. They also notice your small team and point out a catfolk standing across the temple. "She came too late to join a team. Perhaps she could join you?"
Kaven asks the other two, "I think we could use another member in our group, would you two agree? We should probably see what the catfolk could add to our own skills."
Kaven walks up to the catfolk to introduce himself. "Greetings, I am called Kaven. The priests tell us you are looking to join an existing exploration. I myself also arrived late to the event and these two took me in. What experience and abilities could you bring to our party?"
Braydir grunts and folds his arms, "Why nae. We're droppin' them left and right like flies. Let's keep tha fresh blood comin' in I suppose." Waving to the catfolk, he motions her to join them. "Welcome to the Silver Seekers lass!"
Milah had been unlucky enough to have missed the opportunity to join a group but she knew that often groups would come back looking to replace their fallen comrades. And she was more than willing to wait for one to do so, though she was aware that the temple guards were watching her like a hawk. She softly snorted in amusement since they were far too close in their assumptions in her skill set. Her tail swished as a small group of three came in and spoke to one of the priests, before he pointed her out to them.
Two approached one introducing himself as Kaven and the other welcoming her into their group. She looked between them a moment before she spoke. ”Greetings. My name is Milah Longtail and I am...a relic hunter and tomb raider, skilled with disabling traps and unlocking doors and chests.” She didn't really think that outright telling them she was basically a thief would be the best first impression, though she doubted that they would think she was anything other than a thief.
"Welcome, surely we will have a better chance with four now. These tombs are not without their challenges. I have no further business in town, so I suggest we get some rest and head to the new assignment first thing on the morrow."
Kaven approaches the priests. "Is there anything we should know about the Temple of the Erudite Eye?"
The priest merely shakes his head before turning back to the next group in line.